Our landscape architects were appointed by a developer client to prepare two packages of landscape architect information. These packages supported two separate detailed planning submissions.
The brownfield site currently accommodates a commercial building and hardstanding. It fronts the busy New Kent Road to the south, close to the Bricklayers Arms roundabout.
The roughly square plot adjoins an existing school playground to the north. A commercial building sits to the west, while Victorian terraced houses line the eastern boundary. The New Kent Road forms the southern boundary. In addition, a significant tree stands within the New Kent Road footway, immediately outside the site.
We prepared two landscape designs for the site. The first supported student accommodation above flexible workspace. The second supported a hotel above flexible workspace.
Both proposals included comprehensive landscape architect services. These services covered ground-floor parking, a green courtyard, pedestrian circulation and access. They also included an extensive green roof at Level 1. In addition, communal gardens were designed at Levels 4, 6 and 8.
We incorporated comments from the Local Authority and the Design Review Panel into the landscape design. As a result, we introduced significant areas of climbing plants across the building elevations. We also specified robust planters to support the planting at each level.
The climbing plants help soften the visual impact of the building. This is particularly important when approaching the site from the flyover towards the Bricklayers Arms roundabout. Furthermore, the planting provides additional ecological benefits and strengthens the site’s green infrastructure.
Our landscape architects carefully considered the communal garden edges. The design sought to reduce potential overlooking towards the school playground and neighbouring Victorian houses.
To achieve this, we set pedestrian areas back from the building edge. We then introduced raised planters with integrated planting within this zone. Bespoke benches were also incorporated into the planters. These benches face away from the building edge and help reinforce privacy.
At Level 8, the landscape architect integrated a pergola with climbing plants into the garden design. The structure provides shade and creates a greater sense of enclosure. It also responds to the exposed rooftop location.
Finally, we selected planting to suit each specific landscape environment. The communal roof gardens use species suited to exposed rooftop conditions. Meanwhile, the ground-floor courtyard uses planting appropriate for a quieter and more shaded environment.
Overall, the landscape architect’s design integrates planting, amenity space, biodiversity and privacy across multiple levels. The proposals therefore create a coordinated landscape strategy for both development options.
Landscape Institutes Work Stages: 2 to 3
Client: Eden Vale Global
Architect: Clive Sall Architecture